Niagara College Teaching Winery wins four medals at All Canadian Wine Championships

National success continues for Niagara College’s Teaching Winery with four new medals at the 37th annual All Canadian Wine Championships.

The College’s Teaching Winery received a double gold for its 2013 Prodigy Icewine, a gold for its 2012 Balance Brut Sparkling Wine, a silver for its 2012 Meritage, and a bronze for its 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, from the competition. Known as the oldest and one of the largest wine competitions in Canada, this year’s ACWC was held June 5-8 in Prince Edward County.

The news was applauded by staff and students across the College – particularly from the NC Teaching Winery and the College’s wine programs.

“For the production team at the Teaching Winery, these results show us where we’re doing a good job,” said winemaker Gavin Robertson. “It’s important to me that we’re producing great wines not just with specific grapes or in specific styles, but consistently across everything that we’re making.”

Robertson, who is also a graduate of the College’s Winery and Viticulture Technician program (2011), noted that NC students are actively involved at the NC Teaching Winery, working in the vineyards and cellar throughout the year, as well as on their own small batch projects.

“Alongside our winemaking team, students are exposed to all of these different styles of winemaking,” added Robertson. “Medals from the ACWC represent their success and suggest a bright future for Ontario winemaking.”

Students such as Kalem Magny of the Winery and Viticulture Technician program believe the competition results will positively impact their future.

“This success increases our confidence level for when we graduate from this program and continue to work towards our long-term goals,” said Magny. “This achievement not only connects us to the national industry but truly speaks to the great winemaker of the program as well – and, for that, we are proud and thankful to be a part of something much bigger.”

The competition requires participants to use ingredients grown exclusively in Canada. This year’s ACWC received 1,407 entries this year from 224 wineries, meaderies and cideries. Entries were critiqued by a panel of 20 judges and 538 awards were granted – 136 from Ontario.

NC’s award-winning wines are available for purchase at the NC Teaching Winery retail outlet located at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake), which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Currently celebrating its 50th year as a College of Applied Arts and Technology, NC is a leader in applied education and a key contributor to the economies of Niagara and Ontario. A regional college with global reach, NC offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs. Visit niagaracollege.ca.